Sperry Top-Sider shoes are more popularly known as deck shoes or boat shoes.

How to Clean Sperrys

► Plastic bucket ► Cold water ► Mild dish detergent/Dish soap ► Soft bristle toothbrush ► Baking soda/Foot powder ► Leather conditioner ► Cloth ► Before you begin, remove the laces and the Sperrys insoles from the shoes. There is a chance that the laces may be spoiled during the cleaning process. ► Remove the insoles by lifting the end and pushing them at the back to let them out gently from the Sperrys. ► Next, take a bucket of cold water and soak the shoes in it. Never use hot water for this purpose, as it will cause the leather to shrink. ► Instead of dunking the whole shoe, one can even douse the exterior portion of the shoe with cold water. ► Choose a mild dish soap or mild detergent soap and spread about 1 tbsp. of the same on the shoes. ► Next, using a soft bristle brush, scrub the shoe clean. ► If you find the insoles are smelly, sprinkle some foot powder or baking soda on them and let them sit for about an hour or two. Make sure that neither of these powders get onto the leather. ► Next, make a solution of water and dish soap and using the same soft bristle brush, scrub the insoles both ways. ► Allow the shoes to dry out in partial sun for 24 hours. Make sure that the sun is never direct as it can cause the leather to dry out and form cracks. ► The insoles should also be cleaned in the same manner―by drying them out in partial sun. ► Once the shoes have dried, take a soft cloth, dip it in a leather conditioner and apply a layer on the exterior of the shoes. The conditioner infuses the moisture back into the shoes and helps protect them for longer. ► After the shoes have been conditioned, put the insoles back in and lace the shoes.

► Rubber bristle brush/Soft toothbrush ► Kettle ► Water ► Suede bar ► Protective spray ► Cloth ► Use a soft bristle/rubber bristle brush and give your Sperrys a good brushing using soft strokes. ► Make sure that you brush in the same direction while cleaning the material. Using multiple directions while brushing causes the material to fray and scar. ► Focus on spots that are dirty. ► Next, heat some water in a kettle and allow the steam to come forth. ► Hold your suede Sperrys about 12 inches away from the steam to further loosen the dirt. (Do not use steam on leather shoes). Do not hold them any closer, or it could damage the material. ► Next, use a suede bar to rub down the more stubborn stains. Use the bar on marks and stains. ► If the marks are quite stubborn, you can dampen the suede bar before cleaning the shoes. Make sure it is not soaking wet, or else the moisture will be transferred to the shoes. ► After rubbing the shoes with a suede bar, use a soft bristle brush to gently brush the shoes once again. This helps to get rid of all the stray threads that stick up. ► Brushing the shoes is an important step because it helps restore the look of the shoes. Without brushing, the shoes will look flattened, and their texture will be distorted. ► After the shoes have been cleaned, make sure to use a protective spray over the shoes, and allow them to dry for at least 24 hours before using them.

► Pillow case/Mesh laundry bag ► Mild detergent ► Access to washing machine ► Leather conditioner/Mink oil ► Remove the laces and insoles from the shoes. ► Place the insoles in a pillow case or a mesh laundry bag, and tie a knot so that they do not get damaged in the cycle. ► Place the shoes in the same pillow case or a separate one and transfer the bags to the washing machine. ► It is not necessary to place the shoes in a bag, they can be washed in the machine directly as well, but the insoles need to be placed in a bag. ► Next, add a small amount of mild, laundry detergent to the machine and run a long, cold cycle. ► Make sure that you do not use warm or hot water when you run the cycle as it will cause the leather to shrink. ► After the shoes and insoles have been washed, dry these out in partial sun for 24 hours. ► To finish, apply a generous layer of mink oil or leather conditioner over the exterior of the shoes so that the moisture is restored.

► Nail polish remover ► Cotton balls ► Cold water ► Leather conditioner ► This method is used only (and only) for spot-cleaning tough stains and marks. It should not be used for the whole shoe. Also, this method works best on light-colored leather more effectively. ► First, douse water on the exterior of the shoes, thus getting them sufficiently damp. ► Next, soak a cotton ball in nail polish remover, wring the excess remover off, and gently dab over the stains and marks. ► Make sure that you're using an acetone-based remover that is not harsh and will not spoil the leather in any way. ► Continue blotting the stains with the cotton till the stains begin to lift off. ► Do not scrub and rub the cotton onto the shoes, as this will damage the quality of leather. ► Once cleaned, place the shoes in partial sunlight to dry for 24 hours. ► Once dry, use a layer of leather conditioner onto the exterior of the shoes such that they regain their lost moisture.

► Carpet cleaner ► Cleaning sponge ► Cloth ► Soft bristle brush ► Cool water ► Stain treater ► This method is especially useful when cleaning canvas Sperrys. ► Use a sponge and clean the shoe, especially the soles, of any debris and dirt that has been lodged in. ► Next, spray the canvas Sperrys with a carpet cleaner, and leave them on the canvas for about 3-4 minutes. ► Next, use a soft bristle brush to gently scrub the shoes. ► Use a sponge dipped in cold water to clean the carpet cleaner solution. ► Apply a stain treater on the difficult stains, and let it remain for about 5 minutes. ► Then, take a sponge, dip it in cold water, and wring it till it is only damp and not dripping with water, then clear off the stain treater. ► Allow the shoes to dry before using them.

► Leather cleaner ► Soft bristle brush/Toothbrush ► Warm water ► Dish detergent ► Foot powder/Baking soda ► Soft cloth ► Leather conditioner ► Remove the laces and the insoles from the shoes before cleaning them to ensure a thorough cleaning. ► In case the insoles are smelly, sprinkle foot powder or baking soda on them and leave it for 1-2 hours. Make sure the insoles have been removed from the shoes, and the powder does not touch the leather in any way. ► After this, dip a soft toothbrush into a solution of dish detergent and warm water and scrub both sides clean. ► Next, apply a small amount of leather cleaner on to a soft cloth until it has seeped into the cloth. ► Then, use this cleaner-soaked cloth on the exterior of the shoes using circular motions. ► Rub all over the exterior of the shoes, focusing more on the stained sections. ► Once this has been done, use a soft bristle brush to gently scrub the debris from the shoes, if there is any. ► After the shoes are sufficiently clean, use a soft cloth and gently massage the leather conditioner into the exterior leather portion. ► Dry the shoes and the insoles in partial sun, away from direct sunlight, for at least 24 hours.

► Saddle soap ► Soft bristle brush/Toothbrush ► Cloth ► Water ► Leather conditioner ► This method is used for cleaning leather Top-Siders. ► Soak a cloth in water, wring out the excess water, and clean the dirt and dust from the shoes. ► Next, take a saddle soap, dampen it and apply it over the stains and marks on the shoes. ► Allow it to sit for sometime, and then, take a damp cloth to wipe off the soap. Make sure there are no white globs that are left behind. ► Next, allow the shoes to dry, and then proceed to apply a leather conditioner on them. ► Some people air dry their shoes for 1-2 days so that the smell of saddle soap is cured.